President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power promising to reform the economy. But it’s nuclear policies that now define his premiership. What do Iranians think of his leadership?
On the streets of Tehran, there’s a deep sense of outrage at the West’s criticism of Iran’s nuclear programme. “Many Iranians believe the West doesn’t want Iran to advance scientifically”, states Prof Sadegh Zibakalam. But critics accuse the President of playing up the nuclear issue to disguise the failure of his other policies. “Frankly speaking, not one of his policies has been successful in the last 17 months”, states economist Saeed Laylaz. On entering office, Ahmadinejad spent billions on big infrastructure projects and salary increases. This dramatic expenditure led to a surge in inflation. “Everyone is worried”, states Laylez. “The Supreme Leader is personally supervising the situation”. In last year’s elections, the President’s supporters suffered heavy defeats. There are rumours Ahmadinejad has lost the support of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei. Some even claim numbers are being gathered in parliament to impeach the President. But ironically, pressure from the West could save him. “He has identified himself as the champion resisting foreign pressure”, explains Prof Zibakalam. “Going after him now seems unpatriotic”.
SBS
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Lebanon - Sects and the City
- 24 min 03 sec [10 April 2007]
On the streets of Beirut, there’s a fear that the dark days of civil war are returning. A sectarian divide between Hezbollah’s Shi’ite supporters and the Sunni backed government has paralyzed politics.
“To hell with Hezbollah’s supporters”, states one woman. “May Israel wipe them out”. Last November, Hezbollah provoked a political crisis by withdrawing its MPs from parliament. It claims Fuad Siniora’s government is a US puppet, “continuing Israel’s war in a new, political way”. In retaliation, government supporters depict Hezbollah as Iran’s tool. Shi’ites are increasingly described as “outsiders – strangers living in our midst”. The Shi’ites assurgency in Iran and Iraq is only contributing to this unease. As journalist Mohammed Bazzi explains; “the Sunnis are scared because they see this wave of Shi’ite power coming to Lebanon”.
SBS
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Spain - Costa Del Con
- 16 min 00 sec [10 April 2007]
It’s Spain’s biggest corruption scandal in years. Marbella’s local council stands accused of sanctioning illegal construction projects in exchange for large bribes.
By some estimates, 40% of all construction in Europe is happening in Spain. Marbella is at the centre of the building boom. In the past few years, 4 million houses have been built. “It’s a real disaster for the city”, states Mercedes Vazquez. More than 30,000 flats originally approved by the council violate Spain’s planning laws. Former officials are now facing corruption charges. Since the scandal broke, dozens of similar cases have been discovered across Spain. “The root of the problem is that town councils aren’t properly funded”, explains lawyer Diego Martin. “Many rely on developments to get the money they need”.
ABC Australia
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Pakistan - Pakistan Blasphemy
- 11 min 00 sec [10 April 2007]
Critics claim Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws are being used to settle personal scores and persecute Christians. But Muslims believe the laws are God-given and reject all calls to repeal them.
In Pakistan, insulting the Prophet is punishable by death. “We live in fear. Anyone could cast the accusation of blasphemy against us”, states one Christian. Radical Muslim groups always push for a guilty verdict. These are often overturned on appeal but, by then, the accused has often spent years in prison.
Kate Clark
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Afghanistan - Mariam's Song
- 6 min 40 sec [10 April 2007]
Afghanistan. Hardly the easiest place in the world for a teenaged girl to become a pop star. But that’s exactly what 19 year old Mariam is trying to do.
Under the Taliban, all forms of music were banned. “In Afghanistan, for a woman to become a singer is like committing suicide”, states one Afghan singer. But Mariam hopes her music will broaden the minds of fellow Afghans. Despite being regularly insulted and attacked, she refuses to give up. “I like seeing the peace and joy that music gives people”.
Healy
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